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Lady Dimitrescu was seated in the Main Hall awaiting Mother Miranda's arrival. She kept her eyes on the clock, counting down the minutes until her inevitable arrival. She already had a fresh bottle of wine out along with two goblets.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The clock went around and around until finally the double doors opened. She rose up from the couch and bowed her head.
"Mother Miranda."
"Alcina," she said.
"Please take a seat, Mother," Lady Dimitrescu said.
Mother Miranda took a seat and picked up the goblet filled with wine. She took a swig of it, swishing it around in her mouth for a moment before swallowing with satisfaction.
"How have you been faring Mother?" Lady Dimitrescu asked, taking a seat opposite her.
"Aggrieved," Mother Miranda said. "The Lycans continue to uncover small nests of infiltrators."
"I do not understand how they can so easily slip into our village," Lady Dimitrescu said.
"I have wondered that myself," Mother Miranda said, taking another sip from her goblet. "I do not believe the Duke is a traitor, but then again he confessed he did bring the woman into our village."
Lady Dimitrescu kept her face neutral as she drank from her goblet.
"I have kept my eyes on him closely, but I have not seen him bringing anyone else into the village."
"Do you truly think the Duke is a traitor?"
Mother Miranda stared at her for a moment.
"I have had no cause to believe he is as of late, but that may change in due time." She was still staring at Lady Dimitrescu intently as she asked. "Have you had any sightings of the child?"
"No, Mother," Lady Dimitrescu said. "My daughters have been keeping a vigilant watch all over the castle. The woman has not found her way here."
"I see…" Mother Miranda said. "Sadly the Lycans have not found blood, bone nor hair of her. There is no possible way she escaped the village. I know she is still here…"
Lady Dimitrescu did not know what to say to her mother. Never had she seen her so unbalanced.
'Why is Dorothy so important to her? Why is she so determined to dispose of her?'
"Donna has been quite distraught by her absence. It would seem the child had grown a bit fond of her."
"Donna is always welcome to any maid of mine," Lady Dimitrescu said. "A gift for the medicine she has procured for me." She reached over to the table and plucked up a little bell. As soon as she rang it, Anya appeared from out of the dining hall doors.
She walked up to the two and bowed her head.
"Anya, fetch me Allison."
"Yes, my lady," Anya said, returning to the dining hall and returning a few minutes later with Allison.
"Allison will be a wonderful accommodation for Donna. She already has the prerequisites that make a fine head maid. She will make Donna most happy."
"Excellent," Mother Miranda said. "I will take her with me and have Rednic bring her to the house."
"My lady?" Allison could not stop herself from speaking out. Her eyes wide in growing panic upon realizing she was no longer to be part of House Dimitrescu. "My lady I do not understand. Have I done something to offend you?"
Lady Dimitrescu did not look at Allison as she answered:
"You have been a faithful servant, but your time here has now ended. You will leave my castle with dignity and pride."
"My lady…" Allison spoke up again, her heart bleeding as her mistress continued to ignore her. "I-it was my honor to serve you." Her voice trembled a little, but she would not allow herself to beg. To plead. After all, she would always be part of House Dimitrescu, and she would maintain her pride.
"Collect your things. You will leave with Mother Miranda soon…"
Mother Miranda finished her wine and placed her gaze away from Lady Dimitrescu and to the fire.
"As I was saying before, my daughter, you must keep a vigilant eye out for our missing friend. It is no coincidence she arrived in our village and met Elijah a day after she had arrived."
"I will keep my eyes and ears open for her along with my children," Lady Dimitrescu vowed.
Mother Miranda glanced over at her with a thin smile.
"If she does find her way here, I want you to kill her immediately and bring her body to me."
"As you wish, Mother." Lady Dimitrescu inclined her head to her in a bow, her heart unexpectedly sinking into her stomach at the prospect of having to kill Dorothy.
{…}
A scream echoed through the cold and bleak cells of the dungeons. This scream would be followed by a cackle of manic laughter. She used little tools at first and then chose bigger; sharper tools to use.
"Naughty, naughty little piggy," Cassandra giggled, holding the knife directly in the terrified girl's face. "You will not be given a second nor third chance. Hell, if I were ruling the roost, you would have been dead long ago." She dragged the knife along her jawline. "I suppose my mother has a weakness for pretty and new things." She paused in her tracing and began to apply pressure, her smile stretched fully across her face as the girl screamed once more. "Mother will now gaze upon you with disgust once I have finished carving you."
"Having fun, I see."
"Go away, Bela," Cassandra said without stopping. "Can't you see I am busy?"
Bela approached her sister's little lab with her arms crossed, her gaze hovering briefly over the girl and then to the dead body on the floor.
"I heard she had a bit of a nervous breakdown."
"That's right," Cassandra said, blood splattering on her face. "I had to drag her away."
"Mother just called you?" Bela said, turning Harriett's headless corpse over with her heel.
"Yes," Cassandra said with clear haughtiness.
Bela glared at her sister.
"Do not give me that look," Cassandra said, setting the blood soaked knife down and licking the residue from her hands. "What brings you here anyway?"
"I have been thinking about what you said about Mother changing."
"Really?" Cassandra said, grabbing a large hammer. "I was wondering if or when you would confront her about our new addition."
"I have yet to find the right opportunity," Bela said, watching as Cassandra raised the hammer high above her head and brought it down on the girl's knee with an audible 'crunch'. "I went to join her in the parlor, but she was not there."
"Rejection," Cassandra giggled. "Perhaps we were all up the ladder about her 'changing'," Cassandra went on. "I mean, she killed Harriett in the end."
"After she had her fit," Bela pointed out.
Cassandra raised the hammer once more above her head and brought it down on the girl's other knee.
"Mother is fickle. Maybe she was planning to give me her all along."
"No," Bela said, the memory of seeing their mother kissing the girl popping up.
"Then maybe you should confront her as you were planning," Cassandra said, sighing sadly to see the girl had passed out. "Damn. She will be like that for a few hours…" she slammed the hammer down on the counter, placing her full attention on Bela. "What? Are you afraid to do it?"
"Of course not," she said.
"Are you sure?" Cassandra said. "I mean, you and Mother still seem a little tense when you are together after the incident with Daniela."
"Shut your mouth," Bela hissed. "That is between she and I."
"Whatever you say," Cassandra said, brushing passed her sister and moving out of the corridor. "All I am saying is communication is imperative."
"Then why don't you join me to speak with her," Bela suggested.
Cassandra snorted.
"What are you crazy? I have better things to do with my time than harass her."
"But you are the one who brought this whole 'I think she has changed' conversation up."
"Did I?" Cassandra said, scratching her head in thought. "Hmm, I do not recollect that at all."
Bela felt the urge to strangle her sister.
"Do not play coy. Your weak mind games do not work on me."
Cassandra cackled at her.
Bela said nothing more as she followed her sister out of the dungeon. They walked through the servants' quarters and the kitchen. Many of the maids were inside preparing their lunch. All gasping and quickly bowing to them as they passed by. Cassandra chomped her teeth at them, making her laugh as many of them flinched. The two walked towards the double doors when they entered into the dining hall.
"Wait," Bela said, holding her arm up to stop her from pushing the doors open.
"What?" Cassandra hissed in annoyance.
"Shh," she whispered. "I hear Mother speaking with someone within."
"I cannot hear anything."
"Stop talking," Bela said.
Cassandra leaned a little closer to the door, but still all she could hear was mumbling. They were too far away.
"I have a better idea, and it will give me a view of the scene, too."
"Do not," Bela warned. "If Mother were to discover we were eavesdropping."
"What? She'd send us to our rooms?" Cassandra jeered. "Please."
Bela watched her sister carefully. Hearing the sound of a few of her bugs buzzing and then silence.
"Ahh, much better," Cassandra said.
"What do you see?"
"Mother is speaking with Mother Miranda…" she paused to hear the sticky details. "They are discussing the wretch who infiltrated the village. Mother Miranda wants her dead. Ooh, looky, looky."
"What?"
Cassandra smiled.
"I see a young woman in the room and the hag, Anya. The young woman is wearing a coat and carrying a single suitcase."
"Which wretch?" Bela inquired.
"Sadly not Mother's new favorite," Cassandra said. "Sorry to disappoint you."
"Shut up and tell me who it is."
"Hold your horses," Cassandra said. "I think her name was Alicia. No Alyssa?"
Bela drew closer to Cassandra in readiness to strangle her when the name popped into her head.
"Allison?"
"Right."
"Mother is sending her away?"
"Indeed, and Mother Miranda is getting up with her," Cassandra said. "Hmm, interesting. I guess Mother did punish them after all, though I wish she sent her down to play with me and the girl. Yet, the look on your face does not show you are comforted."
"I am fine," Bela said. "Now call back your damn bugs before we are caught."
"As you wish, Queen B," Cassandra said, the familiar buzzing returned as her flies merged back into her skin.
"Shall we go in now?"
"Are they gone?"
"I believe so," Cassandra said. "If you are uncertain take a peek."
Click-clack. Click-clack.
Panic seized both girls in a heartbeats time. The sound of their Mother's footsteps were headed straight for them.
"Hurry!" Bela grabbed Cassandra by the scruff of her dress, causing her to gag and gasp for air as she was pulled back through the yellow door.
"What the hell is the matter with you?" Cassandra snarled. "Warn me next time and I can flee myself!"
Bela could not help but grin; however, it faded upon hearing their mother enter the dining hall and muttering to herself.
"Dorothy… what am I to do with you now?"
'Dorothy?' Bela thought.
"Dorothy?" Cassandra said aloud. "Who is Dorothy?"
"I have no idea…" Bela said, the two meeting one another's eyes with the same idea.
"Shall I follow your lead?" Cassandra asked with a smirk.
Bela growled at her and led the way.
"Move quickly through the courtyard."
"No I was planning on taking my time," Cassandra said sardonically, the two exiting through the doors and instantly freezing up. "Whi-which w-way?"
"Opera Hall," Bela pointed, the two dashing for the door as quickly as their limbs could carry them.
{…}
Lady Dimitrescu slipped into the room without waking Dorothy. It was a relief to see she was fast asleep. Anya at some point had placed clean bandages around her arms.
"Dorothy," she said, taking a seat in the chair beside the bed. "What am I to do? Mother Miranda is inching closer and closer. I do not know how long I can keep you here before she discovers you. If that were to happen, darling, I fear I will be forced to be rid of you sooner than later."
A slight shift from Dorothy caused her to fall silent. Her thick wavy hair billowed out around her head. Once more Lady Dimitrescu saw Beatrice.
"What I am to do?" she leaned back into her chair, closing her eyes and releasing a heavy sigh.
Outside of the door Bela and Cassandra stood by and listened. Both sisters shooting glances at one another upon hearing their mother say the name, 'Dorothy' once again.
"Is her real name Dorothy?" Cassandra asked.
"It appears so," Bela said.
"So what does this mean?"
"It means that this Dorothy may be the one Mother Miranda had told us to search for."
Cassandra lifted her brows.
"So what do we do? We cannot just barge in there and take her. Mother would not allow us to touch her."
"We will not do anything," Bela answered. "The opportunity will arrive soon for us to dispose of her."
"What?" Cassandra hissed, watching Bela start to walk off. "What do you mean? I thought you were going to confront Mother!"
Bela stopped in her tracks. Once more recalling their mother kissing the blood bag. How passionate she looked. The clear affection she had for the wretch was more than she could stand.
"I am right behind you," Cassandra grinned deviously.
Bela reached for the doorknob, but she did not grab hold of it.
Cassandra looked from the doorknob to her sister.
"Bela?"
Bela drew back from the door.
"I have had a change of heart."
"You seem to be having that a lot at the moment," Cassandra said.
"Come. I will speak with Mother about this later."
"Whatever you say," Cassandra shrugged, following her sister.
From the opposite side of the door, Lady Dimitrescu stood listening to their conversation with her claws partially drawn.
{…}
The two returned to the nursery to find Daniela in her bed reading. She quickly sat up upon them entering, her book set aside as she asked:
"Where have you both been?"
"Shall I tell her?" Cassandra asked. "Shall I tell her that was a colossal waste of my time."
Bela did not have the energy to argue with her and instead took a seat on her bed in thought.
Daniela looked from Bela to Cassandra and back to Bela perplexed.
"What does that mean? Did you see Mother?"
"Nope," Cassandra said. "And since nothing else exciting is going to occur here, I am going to go back to the dungeon to further carve my pumpkin."
She was gone in a flash, leaving Daniela alone with a gloomy Bela.
"What is the matter?" Daniela could not hold her question in any longer.
"I rather not get you involved."
"I want to be involved," Daniela said.
"Not this time," Bela said tenderly.
"Is it about Mother and the wench we have been discussing?"
"Daniela," Bela sighed, looking to her little sister as she walked over and took a seat beside her. "I just fear for Mother. There are times where she gets this distant look in her eyes and she is gone. There are times where I am shaking her out of it. I know I must respect Mother's privacy and secrets, but I fear whatever is going on with this blood bag, along with the one that you devoured, have broken her mentally."
"Then… then is it my fault when I ate the older one?" Daniela whispered, her eyes drawing downwards.
"No, darling," Bela said, wrapping her arm around her shoulders. "I believe it happened when the blood bag first stepped into our midst, and then the other one shows up a short while after."
"So what do we do?"
Bela sighed.
"I plan to finally confront Mother alone."
"What are you going to say?"
"The truth. What we have all observed about her changing due to Dorothy."
"'Dorothy'?" Daniela looked up at her. "Who is Dorothy?"
Bela cursed for the slip up and decided to tell her in the end.
"So the blood bag had been given a fake name? Why?"
"Because I believe she is the one Mother Miranda had asked us to watch out for."
Daniela's jaw dropped.
"My reaction exactly," Bela said, laying back in the bed.
"When will you speak with her?" Daniela asked, laying back next to her.
"Tonight," Bela said. "That is unless Mother finds me before then…"
{…}
The rest of the day proceeded slowly and even when lunch rolled around, the girls sat together in the dining hall alone. Their mother's seat vacant.
"Where is she?" Cassandra demanded of Anya.
"Your mother wished to have her lunch sent up to her," she said.
Cassandra stabbed at the meat on her plate and growled.
"Now she feasts with the bitch rather than us?"
"Silence," Bela said.
"No. No more silence," Cassandra snarled, pointing her knife at Anya. "Can we expect her for dinner?"
"No, Miss Cassandra," she said.
Cassandra in a flash threw the knife at Anya, who remained frozen in place as the knife cut across her cheek and struck the wall behind her.
"Cassandra!" Bela snarled. "Enough!"
She was panting hard. Her eyes crazed as they landed on Bela.
"If you do not get up there to speak with her now, I will."
"You will do no such thing!" Bela said. "You will sit there and eat your meal."
"Or what?"
"I will mention your behavior to Mother amidst her absence."
Cassandra bared her teeth at her sister, but made the choice to remain seated and eat her meal.
Bela; however, had completely lost her appetite.
Lunch lasted for another ten minutes before Bela rose from her chair and entered into the Main Hall with Daniela behind her. She came to a halt and stared down at the Hall of Four.
"Bela?"
"She is in the parlor room," she said aloud.
"Who?"
"Mother," Bela said, turning to her sister. "Go to your library or the nursery."
"I… very well…" Daniela said upon receiving a hard look from Bela.
"Keep going, Dani," Bela said, waiting to hear the library door open and close before she got moving.
Bela walked down into the Hall of Four and turned towards the double doors. She walked down the hall when a strange sensation formed in her belly.
She was feeling anxiety? No. Impossible. However, the closer she got to the waiting room, the more her stomach began to tighten. Bela was a bit frightened. Uncertain what or rather /who/ her mother was going to be when she entered the room.
"Mother?" Bela called out, the twin doors already open wide. "Mother, may I enter?" she stood on the lip of the doorway, her gaze finding her seated in her rose embroidered chair that was now turned towards her.
"Bela."
"We missed you at lunch," Bela said. "I came to check in to see if you were unwell."
"I am perfectly fine," she said smoothly.
Bela did not like that tone of voice. She was far too calm, but it was her eyes that betrayed her façade of control.
"I am glad to hear that," Bela said, the silence filling the room awkwardly.
"Was there something else?" Lady Dimitrescu flashed her pearly white teeth at her.
Bela once more felt dread in her stomach, which brought about a flash flood of anger.
"When will you return to us?"
"'Return'?" Lady Dimitrescu blinked. "I have not gone anywhere."
"You have," Bela said firmly. "Your new favorite has taken you from us."
"Jealousy is not a good color on you, my beloved," Lady Dimitrescu said, motioning for her to come to her side.
Bela did not move.
"Dorothy is not a suitable shade for you."
Lady Dimitrescu lowered her arms back down and sat further back in her chair.
"As I suspected. You and Cassandra were in the dining hall eavesdropping. Just like you were by the door scheming to barge in."
"… Yes," Bela said.
Lady Dimitrescu shook her head, clicking her tongue.
"What naughty children I have, and thankfully your eavesdropping went unnoticed by Mother Miranda."
"That is not my concern, but the blood bag."
"She is my property," Lady Dimitrescu said edgily. "You, your sisters and Mother Miranda have no right to her."
"I want only to see her gone and normalcy returned."
"I have made special plans for her," Lady Dimitrescu said. "Once they are completed all will be as it was."
"When? A month? A year?"
"Soon…" she said smiling.
"That is not good enough!" Bela bellowed.
Lady Dimitrescu rose up out of her chair, staring down at her child unblinking.
"You dare raise your voice to me," she said icily.
Bela remained where she stood defiantly, though she could feel her heart accelerating as her mother drew closer. She stopped right in front of her and took hold of her chin. It was not a firm hold much to Bela's surprise. She had anticipated pain and readied herself for it.
"Are you losing your faith in me?"
Bela wrapped her digits around her mother's wrist and squeezed.
"Never."
Lady Dimitrescu stroked her thumb across Bela's cheek.
"Then believe me when I say Dorothy will be gone soon enough…"
Bela did not believe her entirely, but at the moment she was too enthralled by her mother's touch. Something she had yearned for for so long and now she was finally receiving it. Then came her mother's lips pressed against hers. Her arms now wrapped around her waist and hoisting her up against her.
A moan escaped Bela as her mother placed kisses along her jawline and then down her throat. Her warm breath sending quiver after quiver through her.
Lady Dimitrescu then eased her down into the bed, she was careful not to crush her as she continued to kiss and nip at her neck.
Bela could not help but giggle, wrapping her arm around her mother's neck and then releasing a gasp. Then came her mother's teeth entering her neck and drawing blood.
She sucked in a sharp breath, the tension in her body expanding to the point she was about to explode.
Lady Dimitrescu continued to suck her blood, she could feel the tightness from Bela on the verge of releasing.
"Mother," Bela whimpered, gasping as she felt a shudder traveling from her gut and to her core.
Lady Dimitrescu released a guttural groan as Bela released a groan of her own, her body trembling as she drew her fangs away.
"How was that?" she asked, nuzzling Bela's nose.
Bela was out of breath just barely able to produce a giggle.
Lady Dimitrescu smiled down at her, placing a light peck to her lips before she rose up to her full height.
"Can we expect you at dinner?"
Lady Dimitrescu smiled at her.
"Yes…"